The government has published this year’s budget along with its annual accounts. An army of bureaucrats worked on the documents, covering a raft of activities

Packaging is taking a major hit from the global financial crisis and the drop in business and consumer demand, but Asia is set to fare better than most, reports Stuart Hoggard

Printing Industries says its national programme of workshops organised to help the printing and associated industries more effectively manage the current global economic downturn have received widespread industry endorsement.

Printers with turnovers of less than $2m will be eligible for the government’s latest business incentive to help the nation ride out the economic storm, with a host of tax breaks now available.

Printing Industries is set to run a national workshop programme to deal with the current economic downturn running throughout June in all capital cities.

Financier John Dennis says the success of the new 30 per cent Capital Allowance depends on funding availability, but as banks exit the market, or tighten down the hatches, accessing the moolah needed to buy the kit may prove difficult

Printing Industries says that while the small business tax break in this week’s federal budget is perfectly timed for PacPrint and infrastructure projects will provide indirect benefits, growth rates in the printing and associated industries are likely to remain below trend for the next two years.

Heidelberg’s 2008-9 financial year proved difficult with the company reporting a 20 per cent slump in orders to €2.9bn from €3.6bn in the past financial year. The manufacturing giant says the downturn is consistent with of the dramatic collapse in order levels across the entire mechanical engineering sector.

Heidelberg’s 2008-9 financial year proved difficult with the company reporting a 20 per cent slump in orders to €2.9bn from €3.6bn in the past financial year. The manufacturing giant says the downturn is consistent with of the dramatic collapse in order levels across the entire mechanical engineering sector.

Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group first-quarter 2009 sales were $603m, a 26 per cent drop from the first-quarter of 2008. The company says the revenue decrease was driven by a market-related decline of 30 per cent in prepress solutions and a 12 per cent price and mix-related decline in digital printing.

Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group first-quarter 2009 sales were $603m, a 26 per cent drop from the first-quarter of 2008. The company says the revenue decrease was driven by a market-related decline of 30 per cent in prepress solutions and a 12 per cent price and mix-related decline in digital printing.

Orders of KBA sheetfed presses plunged 22.6 per cent to €598.5m in 2008 compared with €773.5m in 2007, with the company citing the global economic downturn, which it says has had a disproportionately severe impact on the inflow of orders.

Orders of KBA sheetfed presses plunged 22.6 per cent to €598.5m in 2008 compared with €773.5m in 2007, with the company citing the global economic downturn, which it says has had a disproportionately severe impact on the inflow of orders.

Squeezing ourselves through each month of this current credit crunch, we find agreement on one point. Economists, employers, employees and financial pundits concur that uncertainty remains the constant feature of the new world economic order. According to one economist, however, that’s a good reason for us to prepare for the more predictable times ahead

As printing businesses strive to put more black ink than red ink on their own ledgers, many discover that keeping things under control also means keeping count of the cash flow. David Underwood discusses what we need to know, and to do, about cash flow in business

While experiencing a slowdown in sales growth, Packaging giant Tetra Pak reported net sales of €8.8bn in 2008 - up 5 per cent on 2007 figures. The company’s Packaging Solutions reached €7.8bn in sales in 2008 - an increase of 4.5 per cent while sales of Processing Solutions reached €949m in 2008, up 9.3 per cent over the previous year.

With the business pages and our customers telling us the country is currently in recession, businesses in the print industry are looking at ways to cut costs and survive in tough economic conditions

While experiencing a slowdown in sales growth, Packaging giant Tetra Pak reported net sales of €8.8bn in 2008 - up 5 per cent on 2007 figures. The company’s Packaging Solutions reached €7.8bn in sales in 2008 - an increase of 4.5 per cent while sales of Processing Solutions reached €949m in 2008, up 9.3 per cent over the previous year.

Printing Industries has called on Australian banks to fully pass on the latest cut in official interest rates. Effective from April 8 official interest rates will be cut by a further 25 basis points to just 3.0 per cent, their lowest rate since 1960, according to the association.

Despite admitting a penchant for pessimistic forecasts, Nick Tuffley, ASB chief economist, told a members of the New Zealand Sign and Display Association (NZSDA) this morning that they should prepare for better opportunities and eventually for improved economic conditions, although the rest of the year would still present challenges.

Sydney printer, Offset Images, is the latest company to fall victim to the economic slowdown, with the company closing its doors after failing to find a buyer.

PMP has been served with a statement of claim by former managing director Brian Evans seeking payment of $1.56m, plus interests and costs, related to the cessation of his employment. In a statement today PMP says it will defend the claim.

Relationship disputes involving Court action often lead to problems associated with tracing financial assets related to business. David Underwood discusses how careful planning can mitigate these problems, helping to avoid unnecessary difficulties and anxiety

Press manufacturer manroland’s operating results dropped 58 per cent from €125m (AU$246m) to €52m (A$100m)  in the second half of 2008 due to a declining order volume and strong price pressure, and the company has warned the worse is yet to come. Since parent MAN sold a majority stake to Allianz private equity manroland has been consistently profitable, but it may struggle to maintain that record this year.

Blue Star Print Group (BSPG) has reported sales revenue of NZ$304.4m for the six months ending December 2008, which represents a jump on the NZ$253.1m reported in the same period the previous year. However the company’s profits slipped, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of NZ$25.8m reported at the end of 2008 compared with NZ$30.2m the year before, reflecting tightening margins.

Long awaited sale of PaperlinX’s Australian paper making operations resulted in a $560.9m loss due to a write down in the six months to December 2008, however the company managed to gain a wafer thin $6.6m operating profit, which was down 81 per cent on last year’s $35.3m

Blue Star Print Group (BSPG) has reported sales revenue of NZ$304.4m for the six months ending December 2008, which represents a jump on the NZ$253.1m reported in the same period the previous year. However the company’s profits slipped, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of NZ$25.8m reported at the end of 2008 compared with NZ$30.2m the year before, reflecting tightening margins.

Biopolymers manufacturer Plantic Technologies has reported a $9m net loss for 2008, adding that the weaker global economic conditions are expected to impact negatively on Plantic in 2009, compared to current market expectations.

The challenging financial climate produced a mix bag of results for Amcor during first half of the financial year, with sales increasing 3.8 per cent to $4.8bn while earnings before interest and tax from continued operations slipped 2.9 per cent to $316.8m.

The challenging financial climate produced a mix bag of results for Amcor during first half of the financial year, with sales increasing 3.8 per cent to $4.8bn while earnings before interest and tax from continued operations slipped 2.9 per cent to $316.8m.